Vintage Borsalino: Rabbit or Beaver Felt?

[Aleksio]

Hello,

I got a vintage Borsalino fedora hat and I’m not sure whether it’s made from rabbit/hare or beaver. On the inside of the sweatband label it says “biber.” Would that mean the hat is made exclusively from beaver felt? Please see the pictures I attached.

Thank you.

 

[jeffgarf]

Hello,

I got a vintage Borsalino fedora hat and I’m not sure whether it’s made from rabbit/hare or beaver. On the inside of the sweatband label it says “biber.” Would that mean the hat is made exclusively from beaver felt? Please see the pictures I attached.

Thank you.

The word biber in that location refers to the color of the hat. A search of the Borsalino Brotherhood thread will also let you know that the hat is likely made of rabbit.

 

[jlee562]

Most vintage hats are not 100% beaver, in fact, those are quite rare. Go through the forum archive and note the frequency of 7x Clear Beaver, or Stetson 100 hats in relation to all the other quality grades.

I'd argue that - generally speaking - beaver content gets less important the further you go back. I'd take a vintage Real Nutria hat over a modern 100% beaver, for example. Plenty of great No. 1 Quality hats out there that arguably have better felt than modern 100% beaver felts. As noted, Borsos are mostly not beaver hats. The word you'd be looking for is "castoro" IIRC. But again plenty of great Borsos don't have beaver in them and/or marked on them. Don't waste time waiting for a beaver Borso, look for the older ones from the original factory.

 

[Rmccamey]

I'd argue that - generally speaking - beaver content gets less important the further you go back. I'd take a vintage Real Nutria hat over a modern 100% beaver, for example. Plenty of great No. 1 Quality hats out there that arguably have better felt than modern 100% beaver felts.

Quite right, Jared. I have a 50's era 3X that will stand up against several 100's I have handled over the years.

 

[Jon Crow]

Seen this nice old Borsalino Augusta here in Madrid, seller says is from 50s, looks older to me, nice old hat though

 

[Jon Crow]

The word biber in that location refers to the color of the hat. A search of the Borsalino Brotherhood thread will also let you know that the hat is likely made of rabbit.

I totally agree, it's rabbit

 

[Jon Crow]

Biber is brown and associated with the colour beaver

 

[steur]

Hello,

I got a vintage Borsalino fedora hat and I’m not sure whether it’s made from rabbit/hare or beaver. On the inside of the sweatband label it says “biber.” Would that mean the hat is made exclusively from beaver felt? Please see the pictures I attached.

Thank you.

These are pictures of different hats. The first picture is of a hat sized 61 and a dark liner. The second one is a size 58 and has a light coloured liner.

 

[skwerl]

Consensus that vintage hats are better shines true.

I have a Borsalino Beaver early 1990's (I think) which is one of my favorite tho I haven't worn any other pure Beaver.

Fairly light weight at 95 gr as regular Bors. are 100 gr to 110
not much but noticeable .
.... skwerl